Quotation board



June 21, 1938. w. E. ROLAND QUOTATION BOARD Filed July 1, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Mia-M5 Mw/ June 21, 193 8.

W. E. ROLAND QUOTATION BOARD Filed July 1, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR MMJ Patented June 21, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFECE QUOTATION BOARD Calif.

Application July 1, 1937, Serial No. 151,359

20 Claims.

The present invention relates to improvements in sign exhibitors and more particularly to a quotation board for use in stock exchanges and the like.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a simple, eflicient and inexpensive sign exhibitor characterized by the fact that it will display interchangeable, variable indicia or display characters when selectively actuated by the finger of the operators hand, in separate framelike guides.

Another object of this invention is to provide a stock quotation board for use in stock exchanges which will eliminate the conventional use of blackboards upon which are written in chalk the variable current stock or bond quotations.

A further object thereof is to provide a quotation board or sign board which has associated therewith a removably mounted and adjustable sign unit for the purpose of registering the display characters of the sign unit with any sight opening in the board so as to present through said opening a variable line of characters'or quotations.

Another purpose of this invention is to provide a light yet strong and durable sign board where lines of display matter in type classification may be selectively displayed through sight openings formed successively in the board, which display type matter is adapted to be changed at the will of the operator.

A further object is to provide, in a device of the character described a row of flexible endless loops threaded in guides so as to have successive character-bearing portions of each loop displayed interchangeably and selectively through the guide opposite a sight opening in the panel board comprising the device.

Another object thereof is to provide, in a sign board or panel board means for detachably and frictionally mounting a sign unit in a panel board whenever it is desired to present a given message through the sight opening of the panel board.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a panel board with individually operable sign-bearing tapes or loops which are displayed in guides in which they are movably and manually threaded, rows of such tapes being mounted in registering position with one or more sight openings of the panel board so that a line of display characters made up from the collective loops may be displayed and read through said sight openings.

A final object of this invention is to provide a sign exhibitor consisting of a panel board having sight openings, a group of closely contiguous individually operated flexible belts set in motion when the operators finger presses any of them shiftably against a rest for the purpose of selectively displaying desired characters in a line of characters being progressively and changeably presented through said sight opening; means being provided for optionally covering any sight opening to conceal the sign displayed therethrough.

With the above and other objects in view my invention consists in the combination, arrangement and details of construction disclosed in the drawings and specification and then more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters designate similar parts throughout the respective views,

Figure 1 is a fragmental front elevation of my invention,

Figure 2 is an end elevation of the sign car- Figure 3 is a fragmental end elevation of my invention,

Figure 4 is a fragmental cross section taken on line A--A of Figure 8, looking in the direction of the arrows,

Figure 5 is a cross section taken on line B-B of Figure 8 looking in the direction of the arrows,

Figure 6 is a front elevation of a sign carrier,

Figure 7 is an end elevation of the auxiliary panel for displaying names of stocks, etc.

Figure 7a is a front elevation of the sign unit,

Figure 8 is a front elevation, fragmentarily showing the stock-listing panel and the shutter panels,

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 8 but showing the shutter panels covering the sight openings of the panel board, and not showing the stock listing panel,

Figure 10 is a perspective view of a shutter panel,

Figure 11 is a fragmental vertical sectional elevation of the panel board showing a sign exhibitor mounted thereon, and showing the shutter panels in open position,

Figure 12 is a view similar to Figure 11 but showing the shutter panels in closed position, and

Figure 13 is a fragmental rear elevation of the panel board.

Referring to the drawings, which are merely illustrative of my invention the panel board is generally designated in, which may be shaped in the form of a case it as in Figure 13 or else shaped to provide a pair of rightangular flanges H, [2, to which are secured side walls l3, 14 which extend beyond flanges H, l2 and are there formed with rightangular flanges l5 disposed in spaced parallel relation to the board l0, so as to provide longitudinally of the board a guide or track it. The panel board is slotted, the

successive sight openings or slots being designated [9, while the intervening portions between the slots form arms I1.

I provide a sign unit in the form of a sign carrier consisting of an oblong plate 20, having terminal rightangular flanges 2| 22 which have struck-out knobs 23 upon their inner faces. The plate 20 is suitably provided with rightangularly disposed closely contiguous rests A, B, C, and D respectively which project beyond the opposite longitudinal edges of the plate and whose terminals form curved lips 24. Arranged on the plate on the side opposite to that in which the lips 24 curve are rows of contiguous beads forming pairs of tracks 25, 26 respectively, each pair of tracks flanking the marginal edges of each separate rest A, B, C, and D; the contiguous beads of each rest provide shoulders M where the beads contact. This sign unit is detachably presented against the panel board so that its flanges 2|, 22 slide against flanges ll, I2 of the panel board adjustably; the operator positions this sign post so that the rows of beads or tracks 25, 26 contact the panel board as shown in Figure 5, where they will intersect the slots l9 at right angles thereto, dividing each slot linearly into separate sign-exhibiting frames of rectangular shape.

A row of flexible ribbon or tape endless loops preferably made of celluloid are designated 32, and one stretch of each loop only is threaded flatwise as at 33 in any of the tracks composed of the beads 25, 26 of the anchor plate or sign carrier, so that each loop for the length of its track presents in contact with the track a fiat portion which is exposed across the length of any slot I9 of the panel board so as to lie Within a separate sign-exhibiting frame thereof, the tracks 25, 26 also extending crosswise of this slot. The

, flanges ll, I2 have knobs 21 against Which the beads 23 of the flanges 2|, 22 of the sign unit snap to lock or latch this carrier in set position detachably. It will now be seen that the operator applies his finger graphically designated by arrow E in Figure ll and presses while shifting the desired loop 32 against any rest A, B, C or D in the direction shown by the arrow F; in doing this he brings any of a selective group of display characters, which may be numbers figures etc. 39 printed or mounted upon this loop in registration with the desired sight opening or slot IQ of the panel board so that after each loop in turn has been manipulated in this way a variable line of characters, which may be stock quotations, are displayed through the opening. Two or more such sign posts may be employed one below the other upon the panel board, each being assembled and operated in the manner just now described.

I also may employ a stock listing panel consisting of a plate 34 upon which is secured an exhibitor plate 35 of wide dimensions and another such plate 36 of lesser width. Beads or guides 31 are formed marginally upon both exhibition plates 35, 36 to form tracks and in each track a removable character 38 is removably slid so as to show visibly in front of the sign panel. This stock listing panel is slid into the track l6 and is preferably located at the upper end of the panel board so as to cover arms I1 and slots l9. In order to conceal the signs displayed in any sight opening or slot I9 I make use of shutter panels 28 carrying attached leaf springs whose ends flare as at 3|. I press the leaf spring into the track l6 thus applying tension upon the shutter. Each shutter rests upon an arm I! until it is manually pushed to a position to cover any slot 12, shown in Fig. 12. A removable pin 40 is properly located to stop the shutter panel in down and another pin to stop it in up position, and the panel 28 may have corner notches 29 to rest upon either pin to properly align the shutter over arm IT or slot 19.

What I desire to claim and secure by Letters Patent is:-

1. A quotation board having a series of longitudinally spaced sight openings, a series of separate adjacent signs interchangeably moved transversely of any of said sight openings to display readable characters therethrough, any of said signs being finger-actuated through any of said slots, and means for confining each separate sign for positive movement out of contact with adjacent signs and whereby each panel is given a frame-like effect.

2. In a device as described, a plurality of adjacent strips each inscribed with a continuous series of display characters, a metal frame provided with a series of transverse slots intersected by longitudinally spaced rightangular beads, dividing the slot into a plurality of rectangular sign frames, in which frames said strips are movably mounted for interchangeable exhibition of the characters thereon, across said slot, to permit finger-actuation thereof through said slot, and means causing said strips to be disposed parallel to said frame at all times.

3. In combination with a panel board having a successive series of linear multi-frame sign exhibitors, with intervening arms, signs slidable in said frames bearing interchangeable characters and being held successively parallel with the slotted portions of the panel board, said signs being finger-movable through said slots to vary the characters displayed through the latter.

4. A panel board having a series of successive elongated slots, a series of parallel signs in back of said board each having a series of display characters any one of which is adapted to be presented through any of said slots, a series of shutters slidably carried by said board and adapted to be placed in overlapping position over on said board so as to cover or uncover any of said slots.

5. A panel board having a successive series of sight openings, shutter panels slidably guided longitudinally of said board so as to cover and uncover said openings, a snap latch carried by each shutter whereby it is frictionally held at rest upon said board, and a series of parallel signs in back of said board having interchangeable characters which may separately or collectively be displayed through any of said sight openings.

6. A device as described consisting of a panel board having successive slots, signs movably mounted alongside each other across said several slots and bearing successive interchangeably movable characters any of which may be exhibited through said slots, the character-bean ing portion of any sign being finger-engaged through any of said slots so as to be shifted into and out of range of one of said slots for display and non-display purposes, and means for manually covering any slot to conceal the signs therethrough.

7. A panel board having longitudinally separated slots with intervening arms, shutters overlapping said arms snugly and adapted to be manually slid to cover said slots, tracks extending longitudinally along the marginal edges of said board in which said shutters are slidably guided, and leaf springs carried by said shutters tensionally engaging said tracks for the purpose of latching said shutters in their stop positions over the arms or slots of the panel board.

8. In combination with a panel board having a successive series of sight openings and right angular flanges, a series of channel-shaped sign units adapted severally to be placed in position in linear formation opposite selective sight openings to display lines of characters through the latter, said flanges and channel-shaped units having releasable indented projections designed to intersnap to latch the unit against accidental displacement.

9. In combination with a panel board having a successive series of sight openings, a series of movable character exhibitors detachably mounted adjustably in back of said board opposite selective openings for displaying lines of characters therethrough in front of the board, and means at the front of the board manually movable to cover selective openings to conceal the characters displayed therethrough.

10. A sign exhibitor consisting of a panel board having sight openings spaced apart longitudinally, a row of individually movable signs frictionally engaging selective slotted portions of said panel board for exhibiting therethrough changeable lines of characters, any of said openings being adapted to be selectively barred.

11. In combination With a panel board having successive sight openings, separate sign units slidably latchable in any position thereon and consisting each of a plurality of movable adjacent separably actuatable sections bearing successive characters, selective characters of the collective sections of any sign unit being adapted to be finger engaged through any of said openings so as to be lined for display therethrough.

12. In combination with a panel board having successive sight openings, a series of separably slidable sign units mounted therein, means for holding any unit in set position, each unit carrying a series of bodily movable adjacent flexible loops bearing endlessly a series of variable characters, any of which may be interchangeably exhibited through a sight opening to compose a line of display characters, and finger rests between which and said panel board said loops are moved when an operators finger presses against the rest to shift them.

13. A quotation board having a series of character display openings, marginal right angular flanges, a channel-shaped carrier having its right angular terminals slidably and frictionally engaging said flanges so as to cover selectively any of said openings in spaced relation thereto, a longitudinal series of transverse adjacent guides in said carrier, a plurality of flexible ribbon loops movable and against said carrier in said guides, when finger actuated so as to be shifted through the openings covered by said carrier, each loop exhibiting interchangeable characters through said opening in line formation.

14. A quotation board having successive transverse sight openings, a sign carrier slidably positioned in back of said board opposite any opening and presenting in flat disposition across said opening a row of separately movable guided celluloid loops any of which may be finger shifted while pressed against the carrier, said row of loops bearing in endless formation variable characters designed when the loop is shifted to exhibit a line of characters through said opening.

15. As a new article of manufacture a sign carrier consisting of a sheet metal channel member, a longitudinal row of closely contiguous tracks intersecting the member at right angles, each track having a back wall projecting beyond the transverse axis of the carrier and terminating in rearwardly curved ends.

16. A sign unit, as described, consisting of a sheet metal plate formed with transversely separated flat metal rests disposed at right angles to the plate and having terminal beads, a pair of oppositely disposed track beads flanking the longitudinal edges of each rest, and flexible stiff loops slidably and frictionally guided in each pair of tracks so as to be fiat against the rest and so as to have a curved bearing upon the terminal beads of the rests.

17. A sign body consisting of a plurality of flexible celluloid tapes arranged in endless loops, disposed contiguous to one another, tracks in which one stretch only of each of said loops are movably threaded and confined to travel flatwise and a common support for said tracks, said tracks overlying only the marginal edges of the loops, said loops bearing successive display characters visible through said tracks.

18. A panel board having sight openings with right angular flanges along its marginal edges, a channel member whose right angular ends are slidably and frictionally adjustable against the flanges but whose plate is spaced parallel from said board, longitudinal tracks upon said board disposed parallel with said board, panels slidably and frictionally positionable in the latter tracks so as to be manually shifted therein to cover any sight opening, a row of celluloid tape loops having portions movably guided in said channel member flatwise so as to be presented opposite a sight opening, said loops being finger actuated through said opening and displaying a line of characters therethrough.

19. In combination with an anchor plate, an endless flexible tape loop bearing successive signs and disposed to be set in motion in a plane at right angles to the axis of the plate, a transverse guide on said plate in which a limited portion of one stretch only of said loop is at any time held in flat formation movably in threaded relation thereto to expose any of its signs through said guide and to allow the remainder of the loop to move unengageably free, and a fixed cover plate associated in overlapping relation to said anchor plate and having a slot which exhibits the sign exposed through said guide.

20. A quotation board having a transverse slot, a panel slidably guided down one end thereof and having provision for displaying indicia of stocks and bonds, a removable stop supporting the panel in display position, a shutter panel on the board, a removable stop supporting the panel out of registration with said slot, a friction latch holding said panel in adjustable slidably guided position, a removable adjustable stop against which said shutter panel engages to be registered in covering relation to said slot, a row of guides traversing said slot and extending transversely thereof, and a row of flexible endless loops threaded manually in the latter guides through said slot and exhibiting interchangeably a line of stock and bond quotations across said slot.

WILLIAM E. ROLAND. 

